After 31 years, Formula 1 looks likely to head back to Africa with the Kyalami Circuit, located in Johannesburg, South Africa after being given the “green light” to be upgraded to an FIA Grade 1 Circuit following numerous upgrades made to the track.
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Red Bull’s recent visit
F1 made its long-awaited return to the continent in early October 2024 as David Coulthard raced around the historic circuit, providing African F1 fans some on track action with Red Bull unleashing the 2011 double-title winning car, the RB7.
The team were there to shoot a short film that captured all the incredible sights and sounds of the RB7 stampeding through the former season-opening circuit. The content provides a cinematic glimpse into what F1’s future could look like were it to return to South Africa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ajKo22vtuc
Red Bull continued its commitment to bringing F1 closer to fans around the world which coincides with South Africa's new momentum for motorsport ambitions, as well as showcasing the passion and potential of South Africa’s motorsport scene on the global stage.
Coulthard stated that the experience was “unforgettable,” and that “with the energy of the South African people and Kyalami’s world-class track, it’s clear the country is ready to rejoin the F1 calendar.”
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Lewis Hamilton explaining the need for a race in Africa
Lewis Hamilton has previously expressed the need to stop “ignoring Africa” when adding tracks to the F1 calendar.
Following the Dutch Grand Prix in August, Hamilton stated: “huge amount of work needs to be done to Kyalami. I think a lot of the world that haven't been there don't realise how beautiful the place is,”
"So I think having a Grand Prix there will really be able to highlight just how great the place is and bring in tourism and all sorts of things."
The addition of the circuit to the 2027 calendar could see the likes of Hamilton visiting the African fans who have waited many a year for a comeback from the world’s most prestigious drivers.
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March 1993, the last race to visit Africa –
The last race featured an intense battle for the win between Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, with Prost taking victory.
Following the race, in July, Kyalami was sold to the South African Automobile Association, who deemed that running a Formula One event proved too costly, resulting in the Grand Prix not returning.
The release of ‘Drive to Survive’ has seen a fast-growing new generation of diehard African fans in F1 considering the sport's Eurocentric history.
The pinnacle of motorsport is experiencing an unprecedented boom on the continent and in North Africa television audiences have more than trebled via the BBC.
Formula 1 has helped the entire continent grow on TV and digital platforms, with a Grand Prix return in 2027 on the cards, it is another market that will see successful operations in.
